Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 1 Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook Overview Topic Page I. Set Your Aspen Gradebook Preferences 1 II. Define and View Class Details A. Viewing Class details 4 B. Changing Averaging Modes 4 C. Linking Sections 4 D. Dropping Lowest scores 5 III. Create Special Codes A. Creating Special Codes 6 B. Editing Special Codes 7 C. Deleting Special Codes 7 D. Entering Special Codes 7 E. Removing Special Codes 7 IV. Create Categories for Your Classes A. Creating Categories 8 B. Editing Categories 9 C. Deleting Categories 9 V. Create Assignments for Your Classes A. Creating a Graded Assignment 10 B. Creating an Ungraded Assignment 13 VI. Enter Scores into Assignments A. Entering Scores 15 B. Tips for Entering Scores 17 VII. Using the Help Menu 18
19
Embed
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook - Impact Wrenches Blog
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 1
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Overview
Topic Page
I. Set Your Aspen Gradebook Preferences 1
II. Define and View Class Details
A. Viewing Class details 4
B. Changing Averaging Modes 4
C. Linking Sections 4
D. Dropping Lowest scores 5
III. Create Special Codes
A. Creating Special Codes 6
B. Editing Special Codes 7
C. Deleting Special Codes 7
D. Entering Special Codes 7
E. Removing Special Codes 7
IV. Create Categories for Your Classes
A. Creating Categories 8
B. Editing Categories 9
C. Deleting Categories 9
V. Create Assignments for Your Classes
A. Creating a Graded Assignment 10
B. Creating an Ungraded Assignment 13
VI. Enter Scores into Assignments
A. Entering Scores 15
B. Tips for Entering Scores 17
VII. Using the Help Menu 18
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 2
I. Set Your Aspen Gradebook Preferences
Use the Gradebook Preferences to determine the default settings for your assignments, how the Score page displays,
and how averages are calculated.
WARNING: While most of these settings are optional, you must select the Enable gradebook
features to be able to use the Gradebook to capture scores for homework, quizzes, tests, etc.
1. In the Settings bar, click Set Preferences.
2. Click the Gradebook tab.
3. Select the Shade alternate lines checkbox
to shade every other row of your Grade
Input page.
4. Select the Track administrator updates
checkbox to see an exclamation point next
to any changes made by an administrator in
the Grade Post Columns for the Progress
Report or Report Card.
5. Select the Tab direction to specify the
direction your cursor moves when you press
the Tab key on your keyboard: Across the
row or Down the column.
6. You can ignore the Show studies
checkbox.
7. Select the Enable gradebook features
checkbox to use the Scores page to enter
scores for assignments.
WARNING: You must select this checkbox to use the Gradebook for homework, classwork, quizzes, exams,
etc.
8. Select the Assignment column order from the drop-down list to indicate the sort order of your assignments.
9. Select the Show points in headers checkbox to display the number of total points in the column header of an
assignment.
10. Select the Show category names in headers checkbox to display the names of the assignment categories in the
assignment headers.
11. Select the Publish assignment statistics checkbox if you want to display the low, median, and high assignment
scores to parents.
12. Select the Show student alerts checkbox to display alert icons next to student names. Alert icons include Legal,
IEP, 504, and Other.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 3
13. Select the Show course selection recommendation checkbox to display the Recommendation columns used for
making course recommendations for next year. You can make recommendations during a defined date range, but the
columns will continue to appear even after the date range has expired. Clear this checkbox to remove these columns
from the Scores page.
14. Select the Anchor averages checkbox to left-align average columns on the Scores page. This will place the
averages next to the students’ names, and the assignments will appear to the right. A calculator icon displays in the
Average column header and the student’s average is displayed in blue.
15. In the Default weighting drop-down list, select the default method for calculating averages.
To indicate to the system how you calculate averages, do one of the following:
· Select Categories only if you want to weight categories only in your gradebook. For example,
assume you create three categories: Homework, Tests, and Quizzes. All homework assignments are
worth the same amount, as are all tests and quizzes. To determine student term averages, Homework is
worth 25% of the grade, Tests are worth 50% of the final grade, and Quizzes are worth 25% of the final
grade.
· Select Category and assignments if you want to weight both categories and assignments within
those categories. For example, a student's homework average is worth 25% of the term grade, but each
homework within the category is weighted differently. For example, you weight reading homework
assignments 1, and intensive writing homework assignments 3.
· Select Total points if you calculate averages by dividing the total points a student earns by the
total number of points possible. For example, a student receives a 100, 90, and 80 for grades. The
student's average is 270/300=90.
· Select Category total points if you want to use total points for individual assignments within
categories that you weight. For example, assume you have a Homework category. The homework
average counts as 25% of the student’s final grade. Within the Homework category, you grade each
individual assignment using points (HW 1 is worth 10 points, HW 2 is worth 20 points).
Note: This value becomes the default average mode for the teacher. Teachers can then assign a different average
mode to different course sections in the gradebook.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 4
16. In the Decimals field, type the number of decimal places you want Aspen to use for calculated grades.
17. In the Grade scale for averages field, click the lookup icon and select Standard A-E (Teacher Gradebook).
This defines the grading scale that displays for gradebook averages based on the SHS grading policy.
WARNING: You must use the Standard A-E (Teacher Gradebook) grading scale for the grades to feed the
Progress Report and Report Card correctly.
18. Click OK.
II. Define and View Class Details
A. Viewing Class Details
In the gradebook, you can view details such as room, day schedule, and term for each of your current classes.
1. Log on to the Staff view.
2. Click the Gradebook tab, and select the checkbox next to the class.
3. Click the Details side-tab. The details for that class appear.
Note: On the Options menu, click Change History to view a list of changes made to the section.
B. To Change Averaging Mode:
1. To apply a different averaging mode than the default you have defined in your user preferences, use the
Average mode drop-down to select the mode for this course section.
Note: If you co-teach this section, you cannot select Gradebook default at the Average mode field.
The average mode you select appears for the other teachers who share the class.
C. To Link Section to Another Section:
Note: Linking sections lets you create categories and assignments for one section, and automatically add them
to other sections linked to it.
1. To link this course section to another section, click Select. A pick list containing a list of any other sections
the teacher is responsible for appears. (see below)
Note: To unlink a course, click Select, and deselect the checkbox next to the course. Click OK.
2. Select the sections you want to link, and click OK. The sections appear on the page.
D. To Drop Lowest Scores:
1. In the Drop mode box, select one of the following to determine if you want to drop the lowest scores for
this class:
Select Do not drop scores if you do not want the system to drop any scores for this class.
Select Drop lowest overall score if you want the system to drop the lowest score(s) for a term. The
following options appear:
2. For each term, the number of scores appears in the Available column. Type the number of scores you want
to drop for that term in the # to drop column.
Select Drop lowest score by category if you want to determine how many scores to drop each term by
assignment category. For example, you might drop the two lowest homework scores each term. To do
so, type the number in the # to drop column for each category, for each term:
Note: On the Scores page, the system indicates dropped scores with because they fit the criteria you
determined in the Drop mode box:
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 6
8. Click Save.
III. Create Special Codes
Special codes are used in place of an assignment score. You can apply a special code you created to be used for an
assignment score that would either exempt the score from the student's average or have the assignment counted as a
zero (0) in the student's average.
Warning: Parents/Guardians and students will see Special Codes when viewing scores from the
Family Portal. Some examples of codes: AB (absent), AD (academic dishonesty).
A. Create a Special Code
1. Click the Tools tab.
2. Click the Special Codes side tab.
3. From the menu bar, click Options > Add.
4. The New Gradebook Special Code page displays.
5. Enter the appropriate Code, e.g., “AD” for
academic dishonesty.
NOTE: The code can be up to five characters in
length.
5. In the Behavior field, select one of the following:
a. Exempt from calculations to exclude this assignment when calculating the student’s average.
b. Calculate as zero to count this as a zero when calculating the student’s average.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 7
6. Click the Report as missing? checkbox if you want assignments with this code to appear in reports that list
missing assignments. These assignments appear in addition to assignments with no score.
7. Click the Color field and select the color you want Aspen to display when you use the code.
For example, you might want the new AD code to appear in red so that you can easily locate it on the Scores page.
NOTE: Do not use a code that is already represented in our grade scale. For example, you
do not want to create a special code of “A” since our grade scale contains an A. Also, avoid
using colors such as white and gray since these will not show well in the gradebook.
8. Click Save.
9. Click the Special Codes side tab to return to your list of special codes.
B. Edit a Special Code
1. Click the Tools tab.
2. Click the Special Code side tab.
3. Click the link of the record to edit.
4. Edit the appropriate options, e.g., Color.
5. Click Save.
C. Delete a Special Code
1. Click the Tools tab.
2. Click the Special Code side tab.
3. Select the checkbox for the appropriate Special code.
4. From the menu bar, click Options > Delete.
5. Click OK to confirm deletion of the Special code.
D. Enter a Special Code
1. Click the assignment score for the student that requires a special code.
2. Enter the special code, e.g., AD.
NOTE: Currently there is not a lookup option for inserting a special code. To view your
special codes, click the Tools tab then click the Special Codes side tab.
E. Removing a Special Code
1. Select the student’s score that contains the special
2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 8
IV. Create Categories for Your Classes Use categories to group your grades, e.g. Homework, Quizzes, etc... Weight values can also be assigned to
categories, e.g. Homework 20%, Quizzes 30%, etc... You can create categories without assigning weights to them.
For quick setup, categories can be linked to other classes.
NOTE: If you calculate grades using Total Points (without any categories), you must create at least
one category.
A. Create a Category
1. Click the Gradebook tab. Your class list displays.
2. Select the checkbox for the appropriate class.
3. Click the Categories side tab.
4. From the menu bar, click Options > Add. The New Category page displays.
5. In the Code field, enter the appropriate code for the category, e.g. HW for “Homework.”
NOTE: The code can appear in the column header on the Scores page and should be a short
description.
6. In the Description field, enter an appropriate description.
7. If you set your gradebook preference to weight categories, enter the appropriate weight in the Weight field, e.g.
10 for “10%.”
NOTE: Weights do not have to add up to 100.
8. Enter any appropriate settings in the Assignment Defaults section. Entering default values can save you time
when you are creating assignments for this category.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 9
NOTE: The Max points field only displays if you calculate your averages by category only or
category weights and assignments. The Max points and Total points fields do mean the same
thing – the value of the assignment.
9. Select the Private checkbox as the assignment default if you do not want the assignments in this category
displayed to parents/guardians and students in the Family Portal by default.
10. If this category is linked to another section on the Class Details page, select the Also add this category to
linked classes checkbox if appropriate.
11. Click Save.
B. Edit a Category
1. Click the Gradebook tab. Your class list displays.
2. Select the checkbox for the appropriate class.
3. Click the Categories side tab.
4. Click the link of the category to edit.
5. Edit any category options as appropriate.
6. Click Save.
WARNING: If you edit a category in a specific class that is linked to other classes, it will not
modify this category to the other linked classes.
C. Delete a Category
1. Click the Gradebook tab. Your class list displays.
2. Select the checkbox for the appropriate class.
3. Click the Categories side tab.
4. Select the checkbox for the category to be deleted.
5. From the menu bar, click Options > Delete.
a. If this is a new category without assignments created, click OK.
b. If this category already has assignments and scores associated with it, click
Continue to delete the category, assignments, and scores.
6. Click Save.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 10
V. Create Assignments for Your Classes An assignment in Aspen is any type of student work, e.g., homework, test, etc... You will create a new assignment
each time you give your students new work or assessments. Assignments in a class can be linked or imported from
another class. You can create assignments using the Assignments or Scores side tab. The Assignments side tab is
typically used when the gradebook is being set up for a class; the Scores side tab is typically used to add an
assignment on-the-fly.
Note: You must define categories and set your gradebook preferences before you can create
assignments.
Create an Assignment
You can create a single assignment or recurring assignments using the Assignments or Scores side tab. You must
define categories and set your gradebook preferences before you can create assignments.
NOTE: If you calculate grades using Total Points (without any categories), you must create at least
one category.
A. Create a Graded Assignment
1. Click the Gradebook tab. Your class list displays.
2. Select the checkbox for the appropriate class.
3. Click either the Assignment or Scores side tab.
a. Assignment side tab - from the menu bar, click Options > Add. The New
Assignment page displays.
b. Scores side tab – Click the Add button or from the menu bar click Options > Add
Assignment (or press Ctrl+A on the keyboard). The New Assignment page
displays.
4. Enter information in the fields using the table on the following page.
5. If this class is linked to another class and you would like to link the new assignment, verify
the Also add this assignment to linked classes checkbox is selected.
6. Click Save.
Setting Up and Using Aspen Gradebook
Scituate Public Schools – July 2012 Page 11
Use the following table to enter information in the fields:
Field Description
Category Click to select the category for this assignment. If you defined default values for
assignments in this category, those values appear in the appropriate fields.
GB Column
Name
Type the name for the assignment that appears in the column header on the Scores page.
Note:Type a short code with no spaces.
Assignment
Name Type a detailed name for the assignment.
Date assigned
Type or click to select the date you created the assignment.
Note: You can move assignment dates forward or backward for a course section. This is
helpful if a day of school is cancelled because of weather, or a last minute assembly is scheduled
for an upcoming school day.
Date due Type or click to select the date the assignment is due.
Total points
This field appears only if you calculate averages by total points. Type the number of possible
points a student can earn.
You determine how you calculate averages when you set your gradebook preferences.
Weight
This field appears only if you calculate averages using category and assignment weights. Type a
number if you want to weight this individual assignment in relation to other assignments in this
category. For example, you might weight a difficult homework assignment more than an easy
reading homework assignment.
You determine how you calculate averages when you set your gradebook preferences.
Online
submission
If you want students to be able to submit files for this assignment online using the Student
Portal, type the dates to set the Open and Close Dates for the online submission.
Note: You must set up your gradebook and Class pages to receive assignments from students
online.
You receive these files on the Scores page.
Options
Extra credit
Select this checkbox to treat this entire assignment as extra credit.
Note: If you select this checkbox, do not enter a value in the Extra credit points field below.
Do only one of the following:
Select the Extra Credit checkbox to treat the entire assignment as extra credit; or
Enter a value in the Extra credit points field to allow students to earn extra points, in